Pitch It! The Innovation Challenge 2024

Open Date   August 21, 2024

Due Date   September 20, 2024

About Pitch It! The Innovation Challenge 2024

As the idiom goes, “Necessity is the mother of invention!” In many ways, innovation is a part of nonprofits’ organizational DNA. To achieve organizational visions, we must be responsive, relevant, and timely in meeting the evolving needs of the communities we serve. Over the past few years, nonprofits in our region rose to the challenges brought on by the pandemic, climate-related challenges, and calls for justice. In doing so, we adjusted, pivoted, redefined, and reimagined the way we work to address persistent challenges and explore opportunities to increase organizational impact.

To support innovative leaps in nonprofit organizations, the Greater New Orleans Foundation (Foundation), in partnership with interested local donors, is sponsoring Pitch it! The Innovation Challenge 2024. Through Pitch It!, the Foundation will fund a bold programmatic, technological, or strategic partnership innovation that drives organizational impact or advances organizational sustainability. Examples of the types of innovation we’re seeking include:

• Reimagining your service delivery model
• Finding a new approach to a long-standing nonprofit need
• Using technology to drive program delivery
• Trying a new approach to funding
• Developing an earned-income stream
• Strategically collaborating with like-minded organizations
• Developing a data tool to drive decision making or redefine your measure of success

The Pitch It! first place winner will receive $50,000, the second place winner will receive $30,000, and the third place winner will receive $25,000 to seed their innovative ideas.

Why do we sponsor the Pitch It! Challenge?

With this Challenge, the Foundation aims to increase the responsiveness and impact of nonprofits in our regional sector. Not only does the Foundation seek to help nonprofits in our region rethink, reframe, reposition, and reimagine how they implement their programs or services through the Pitch It! Challenge, we also seek to help nonprofits define collaborations or partnerships to advance their missions. Just as importantly, we intend for Pitch It! funding to assume some of the organizational risk that dreaming big incurs. The opportunity to take a risk and think outside the box may well catalyze other nonprofits to take their own innovative leaps. Together, this will lead to a strengthened network of nonprofits willing to share new ideas and practices that advance a more sustainable nonprofit ecosystem and community.

Eligibility

Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is headquartered in, and primarily serving communities within, the region served by the Foundation and is in good standing with the IRS is eligible to apply.

A cohort of organizations may also apply. This cohort must include a lead 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is:

• Headquartered in, and primarily serving communities within, the region served by the Greater New Orleans Foundation,
• In good standing with the IRS, and
• Working with a government agency, academic institution, and/or private sector organization that cares about innovation and capacity-building and has the willingness to work collaboratively.

Only one idea per organization will be accepted so bring your best idea forward!

Application and Pitch Process

Pitch It! The Innovation Challenge 2024 is a three-step process:

Step 1: Applications open on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, and close on Friday, September 20, 2024. Nonprofit organizations and cohorts of nonprofit organizations must fill out an application, which includes a simple and focused description of an innovative idea that aligns with the Pitch It! purpose, objectives, and outcomes. Three finalists will be selected by a panel comprised of regional philanthropists and community and business leaders.

Step 2: During the week of Monday, September 30, 2024, three finalists will be announced. Finalists will be invited to further develop their “Big Idea” into a more substantive and detailed innovation through an orientation meeting, a series of three mandatory coaching sessions, and a mandatory dress rehearsal with professional guidance. All coaching sessions will last about one hour per organization and will be held at the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Center for Philanthropy, with the exception of the dress rehearsal, which will be held at the Pitch It! event venue.

Step 3: The three finalists will pitch their “big ideas” to a panel of judges on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 11:30 am to 1 pm at an event that will be open to the public. Winners will be announced at the event.

Scoring Criteria

All applications must address the criteria listed below:

• Clarity and focus of innovation,
• Originality of approach,
• Benefit to those being served by the organization,
• Alignment with the intent and outcomes of Pitch It!,
• Chances for successful implementation,
• Applicability to other nonprofit organizations, and
• Smart and creative use of resources.

Pitch It! Challenge funds may not be used for:

• Existing programming,
• Capital for building acquisitions or renovations,
• Fees for memberships, dues, subscriptions, etc.,
• Operating deficits or retirement of debt,
• Scientific or medical research,
• Individuals, either through scholarships or other forms of financial assistance;
• Special events or conferences,
• Programs that require exposure to, adherence to, or conversion to any religious doctrine in order to receive program services, and
• Endowments.

How to Apply

The application period is closed at this time. If you have any questions, please email Devon Turner, Director of Nonprofit Leadership and Effectiveness, at devon@gnof.org or Alana Peck, Nonprofit Leadership and Effectiveness Senior Program Associate, at alana@gnof.org